Asus Zenphone 9 Is a Compact Phone With Flagship Performance

pcmag.com:

Asus just revealed(Opens in a new window) the Zenphone 9 and it looks like a great option if you're seeking a small phone that doesn't sacrifice power and performance. It features the latest flagship chipset, high-end cameras, and up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM inside a phone that's only 5.9-inches tall.

The first spec to catch our attention is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. That's the same processor found in top-of-the-line flagships like the company's own ROG Phone 6. Having the option to choose up to 16GB of RAM should also aid performance, though the base model includes a resectable 6GB. Additionally, you can configure the phone with up to 256GB of internal storage.

Gimbal-like cameras are another standout feature of the Asus Zenphone. The lenses can actually move to compensate for shifts of up to +/- 3 degrees, which should help create smoother videos and images while moving around. The Zenphone 8 could compensate for 1 degree, so this is a substantial improvement.

Asus includes a 50-megapixel sensor with an f/1.9 aperture as the main lens. This lens features the 6-axis hybrid gimbal OIS/EIS stabilizer. There's also a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera that also handles the macro photo duties. Swinging around to the front of the phone, you'll find a 12-megapixel selfie camera.

If you're sick of giant flagships and you want something a little smaller, the Zenphone 9's 5.9-inch 1080p, 120Hz OLED panel could be a nice option.

There's no wireless charging for the 4,300mAh battery, but ASUS did include 30W fast charging and an adapter inside the box.

Asus plans to sell the Zenphone 9 unlocked in the US, though the release date is still TBD. The price is also unknown, but the phone will launch in Europe at €799 ($800), so we'd